Member Avatar for dasd

Hi!

It's time to get another laptop but with all the changes and options available, I'm a little overwhelmed. I travel a good deal, so I need a unit that is built solid but does not resemble a brick or is overly heavy. I was considering an iPad but I do not think it would offer everything I would need and is too expensive for what it delivers. So Ideally, I need one that is great for business travel and entertainment purposes with great battery life, durable construction, great graphics/ audio and awesome processing speed. I currently have an Fujitsu lifebook that has a great display but it can get pretty heavy on long trips and the battery life is lousy.

I think I'd like to stick with a mid size 15.6 with an i5 processor and at least 6GB of RAM. I'm not stuck on brand and am more concerned with long battery life (6-7 hours on a single charge would be good...) and the construction being good!! Especially after my last trip when the TSA dropped and damaged the laptop (cosmetic only) which now has me considering models that have gorilla glass and aluminum cases...

I want to get the best bang for my buck, so please hit me up with your input.

Thanks!

I'd need good feedback, but not sure where to go beyond the obvious. Can you help?

Edited by dasd
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Dani AI

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Original poster asked for a travel-friendly 15.6" laptop (i5, ~6GB RAM) with long battery life and solid construction; replies from , and already pointed to ASUS and Dell and warranty options. The core decision is a three-way tradeoff: weight, real-world battery life, and discrete graphics — pick two. The notes below expand those tradeoffs into a practical, travel-focused checklist and buying strategy.

Prioritized checklist: prefer an SSD (much faster and far more shock-resistant than a spinning drive); bump RAM to 8GB or more for longevity; choose a low-voltage i5/i7 ultrabook-class CPU for long battery life rather than a full-power quad if portability matters; favor integrated graphics for better runtime unless video editing/gaming is required. For the screen, an IPS panel gives better viewing angles for movies; Gorilla Glass is useful but uncommon on larger laptops, so verify the spec where that matters. Target a battery capacity and independent test results that match the advertised 6–7 hours — manufacturer claims are often optimistic.

Durability and service: look for business-grade construction (aluminum or magnesium alloy, reinforced hinges, spill-resistant keyboard, MIL-style testing) and make accidental-damage protection part of the purchase if travel risk is high. ’s point about extended/next-business-day service is sensible — on-site NBD or ADP plans dramatically reduce downtime after physical damage. Always use a protective sleeve or hard carry case to reduce the chance of TSA damage.

Buying strategy: set a firm budget (echoing ), then prioritize SSD + battery + build over fancy discrete GPUs. Consider lightly used/refurbished business-class units for better chassis and lower price, but check battery wear and warranty. Check long-term reviews with real-world battery tests and user reports (thread experiences like ’s and ’s are useful context) before finalizing a purchase.

Recommended Answers

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Member Avatar for zxor 2

dell has a pretty good line of laptops at affordable prices check out the the discount outlet they usually have them there

Member Avatar for wldake

I'd go with ASUS as they make their own machines and have good componenets. Their failure rate is less than all major brands iuncluding Apple. There are a couple of places that sell "customized" laptops but I have always had good luck with these folks ... http://www.xoticpc.com/. The ASUS page is here ... Any of the "UX" series should suit your needs. The "UX" series are 1 piece aluminum like the Apple so they are fairly durable. 7+ hours of operation ... some are 8+ hours.

Good luck in your search!

Edited by wldake
Member Avatar for tarael1

I would stick with Dell at their Small Business site. You can customize and not pay for what you don't need. Also their warranty is tops! I have used it quite a few times with dozens of machined.

Member Avatar for dasd

Thanks everyone - it's good to see such an positive response! (went to another site - rude, insulting people with nothing good to offer) I should have come to DaniWeb first!

I am checking into the information you provided. In regard to Dell; I'm a curious about their failure rate since tarael1 mentioned using the warranty multiple times. It's great Dell will stand behind their product and yet, since most warranties only last a year, your statement raises some questions.

The last thing I want is the potential for malfunction right out of the gate. I know what it's like to have a machine fail on a business trip and wait for repair. Thankfully, I had to wait only one day for Dell to send the replacement part BUT I was a corporate customer. The repair time would have been longer otherwise. That was 7 years ago, so I do not know if the customer support is better or worse today??.

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

...and 'Wldlake' - thanks for the ASUS info. I'm checking that too!

Edited by dasd
Member Avatar for sgunnery

Do you have a maximum budget in mind I check Amazon for laptops you can get some very decent spec machine for 650-700 the more you have to spend the better it will be obviously.

Member Avatar for JorgeM

Based on your description and needs, I would suggest Dell as a good choice. My experience with them has been good from a corporate customer as well as a regular customer with regard to customer support and warranty replacement.

Member Avatar for dasd

Thanks again everyone! Sorry I have been absent due to illness and an unscheduled trip - fun, fun, fun. I will be checking the options this week and let you know what I find. I did look at Amazon but found most there were bulkier than what I wanted, so the search continues...

So many choices - (heavy sigh) lol

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